Wild Wolves

Chapter 7 – Contractual Agreement

Mylee’s POV

I don’t remember drifting off to sleep. I didn’t even think I was tired. I heard the door click and movement in the room before the end of the bed dipped slightly. I didn’t want to open my eyes, but I knew I had to deal with this.

I shuffled a little and opened my eyes. It was dusk, and the light in the room was dull. I must have been asleep for a few hours. I positioned myself so I was sitting up, with my back against the headboard, knees to my chest.

Lexis was sitting silently, staring at me and it was a little unnerving. How could someone I was so drawn to make me feel so uneasy? Didn’t he feel it? I couldn’t understand why he was being so cold and calculated towards me.

“You said you didn’t want to reject me. You asked me to come with you! I am here, Lexis. What do you want from me?” I broke the silence and tried to keep my voice steady and even.

His eyes softened slightly, or so I thought, “I need you Mylee. My pack needs you. I want you to stay. However, your pack, your brother… It makes this difficult. I don’t know you, and I don’t trust you. If you want to leave, I will not stop you…”

I cut him off, “You locked me in here like a caged bird, Lexis. I do not trust you, and I am not sure I like you much either.”

He stiffened at my outburst, “Then leave!” his icy cold tone sent shivers through me, despite the warmth of the room. He stood at the window where my bag was and bent down to collect it, “You were locked in to stop you from snooping before you had decided if you were willing to stay. I will take you back.”

I stood from the bed and held myself tall. What game was he playing? “I said, I don’t trust you, or like your particularity. I didn’t say I wanted to leave.” I said more confidently.

He dropped my bag and eyed me suspiciously. “If you don’t like me, why would you want to stay?”

“Why do you want me to stay if you don’t trust me? Just because being mated to your fated mate makes you stronger? Does your pack need a Luna? Before I make any decisions about anything, Lexis, you can sit down and tell me exactly what it is you want and expect from me. Then, I will tell you what I want and expect from you in return. If we agree, I will stay.” I raised my brow, my hand firmly on my hip.

Mild amusement at my outburst flickered across his features before it was gone. He seemed to be enjoying watching me try and play with the big boys. He said nothing for what seemed like a lifetime. I couldn’t tell if he was angry at my suggestion or considering it.

“Seems fair.” He finally spoke. For a moment I thought we were getting somewhere, but then he had to push it, “Don’t expect too much though, little bird, or I’ll open the cage and let you fly out the window”.

I ignored his flippant comment, hoping he didn’t intend to throw me from the 2nd-floor window if I didn’t conform. I refused to allow the hurt I felt at his condescending and sinister words to show. I stood my ground and stared right into his beautiful but steely eyes.

“If WE don’t agree, I hope that you can respect the decision WE came to, and take me back, unharmed. IF it comes to that, I will make it perfectly clear to my brother, and the pack, that it was mutually agreed, and you will receive no retaliation from us.” I kept my words steady and controlled.

He narrowed his eyes, a flicker of fire seemingly running through them. His sweet, perfectly kissable lips pursed slightly, as he contemplated my words. “You can’t promise that.” I didn’t miss the bite to his tone. His expression was now back to its usual stern and unreadable form.

“You underestimate me.” I stepped forward, closing the gap between us, “I can. And I will.”

I tried not to allow our proximity to hinder my stance. With his scent filling my nose and making me heady, I felt my heart rate rise. I swallowed hard; my throat suddenly dry. I studied his features, unable to pull my eyes from him.

I watched the way his nostrils flared ever so slightly as I spoke, the way his lip twitched when he was uncomfortable, the way his eyes flickered in the fading light. I knew if I didn’t curb it, it would give him the impression I was anxious.

I was, but not because of my current predicament, or our uneasy conversation. It was because of how he made me feel. It was an entirely new experience for me, and I wasn’t sure I liked it. I didn’t want him to make me feel vulnerable in any way.

I never thought I would be infuriated that the bond made me feel such a pull to him. I had always believed it to be a good thing. Yet, here I was, gravitating towards a man who gave me nothing but bitterness and resentment in return.

“You seem confident, little bird,” his breath hitched, fanning my face as he looked down at me. It was warm, with a tinge of peppermint scenting it.

“I am,” I responded, breathily.

I was losing my ability to think straight. I went to take a step back, but I tripped over my own feet. Stumbling a little, Lexis held onto my upper arms, stopping me from falling. Steadying myself, I looked up at him. His touch and smouldering, heated glare, sent a wave of desire to my core.

Embarrassed, I knew I had to try and somehow shake off the feelings he evoked in me and concentrate on the reason he was here. Which wasn’t, evidently, to try and get to know me and have a fulfilling and happy relationship.

He was here to propose a business arrangement, and I had to remember that. It was clear from his lack of emotional feeling towards me, that the bond had little to no effect on him. I assumed it was because he had a heart of stone and didn’t want to accept me, other than to fulfil his duty.

Whatever he wanted from me, within reason, I would accept. I knew that before he even came to this room. I would never have left my home if I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my happiness to ensure the future and safety of my family, my pack and most of all our kind.

There was far more at stake here than my hurt feelings. I hadn’t had time to tell the others yet, but I didn’t have enough evidence or information to confirm my suspicions or theories. It was a little controversial and I knew it would take them some convincing.

I knew deep down Mal had faith in me, and my intellect, but even this was a little more far-fetched than my usual theories. With no evidence, it wasn’t just Mal I would have to convince, this went beyond even his capabilities as an Alpha, regardless of how gifted he was.

He averted his gaze before I did, stepping back and walking over to a small desk in the corner of the room. Telling me all I needed to know. He opened the top drawer and pulled out some papers. “Here,” he said as he left them on the desk. “This is my proposal. I will return tomorrow so you can tell me what you wish for in return, and I will have the contract amended if we can come to an agreement.”

Holding back my upset as he spoke coldly, I nodded. “Fine. I will look over it after I have called my family. I haven’t told them I am okay.”

“I have your phone. Once the contract is signed or declined, you may have it back.” He turned on his heel to leave. Not giving me a backwards glance, he opened the door. “Cal will bring you something to eat. You missed dinner.”

He didn’t even ask me if there was anything I didn’t like or couldn’t eat. Strangely, he flicked on the light just before he shut the door and locked me in. Daylight had almost ceased, and it was getting darker, but his action was odd.

That was, until the steel shutter started descending before my eyes and any natural light that was left had vanished. I walked over to the desk and stared at the contact. The words were a jumbled mess and I was unable to focus on them.

Lexis was playing a dangerous game. My family would start a riot if I didn’t call and let them know I was okay. I just hoped they held back long enough for me to make this work somehow. Unable to call them, or focus on the contract, I took the opportunity to look around the room.

Despite the bare stone walls, the room wasn’t cold. The tapestries on the wall were intricate and quite beautiful. There were two that hung on the wall behind the bedhead, and one above the desk in the far-right-hand corner.

All three were depictions of hills and meadows, and they all had foxgloves somewhere on them. I wasn’t wrong to be cautious of this room, and regardless of the bittersweet taste it left in my mouth, I felt a wealth of comfort in my ability to have correctly understood its meaning.

Next to the desk was a door. I opened it and found a comfortable-sized ensuite bathroom. Toiletries were already there for my convenience. Turning back to the bedroom, there was a wardrobe and chest of drawers to the left, by the door that locked me in here.

Rifling through the drawers and doors, it was empty. Without my own things here, what exactly did he expect me to wear? I took the bag Mykah had packed for me and began to unpack it. A few stray tears rolled down my cheek as I took out my belongings.

She had packed some of my favourite clothes, and one of her favourite cardigans. She knew I wouldn’t wear it, but it held her scent. There was a framed photo of us together, and one of the boys, as well as a few loose ones that included Mum, Dad, Grams and Mimi.

I felt a wash of sadness, but seeing them staring back at me, I knew I had done the right thing. I was doing this for them. I took out the last thing, which I knew was the first thing she had packed. Birdie. My soft cuddly bright blue bird.

I held it close. I received it as a gift from Uncle Malcolm when I was very young, and I never stopped loving it. It seemed childish, but it reminded me of him and all the things he had taught me. The fact that Lexis had used my analogy against me pissed me off to no end.

However, I had no intention of allowing him to make it something I hated. He was never going to know how important Birdie was to me, or what she represented. If I refused to rise to his stupid games, he would soon get bored.

There was a knock at the door, which I found odd. I was locked in. “Uh, I can’t open it! I’m a prisoner.” I stated, flatly.

“I was just checking if you were decent Luna.” The voice on the other side said apprehensively.

“I’m naked. Go away.” I shouted back.

“I have food and a drink for you. I can wait for you to dress.” The voice now sounded mildly anxious.

“I’m decent.” I sighed. “Come in.”

A few minutes passed, and I had assumed whoever it was, had just left, but the lock turned shortly afterwards, telling me otherwise. No one opened the door, which I thought was strange. Then, a few moments later, the handle dropped and the door opened.

The voice had been male, but it was a woman that stuck her head around the door. She had dark brown hair that had a hint of auburn in it that fell haphazardly around her long face.

Her thick fringe was only just out of her eyes, her deep brown eyes lit up with amusement. Her thin lips upturned as she smiled broadly at me before she giggled a little. She turned to another person at the door who I couldn’t see.

“She’s decent.” She laughed before disappearing.

Did he honestly think I would be willing to allow a complete stranger into my room when I was naked? Jeez. Some men! Cal walked into the room and set a tray on the desk. I eyed the open door thinking I could possibly run, but what was the point? I was where I needed to be, in a fashion.

He followed my gaze and didn’t attempt to rush and close it. Instead, he simply turned his gaze back to me and spoke. “Luna, you are not a prisoner. This is for your benefit.”

“What is that meant to mean?” I asked bitterly.

“I’ve said too much. Forgive me. Please don’t repeat that to Alpha, I value my life.” He half-heartedly laughed, but it was clear he didn’t find it funny. “Kimmi will be back in a minute with more drinks and snacks and the clothes Alpha has bought for you. I’ll be back in a few minutes with a mini-fridge so you can have a stock of cold drinks.”

“Kimmi?” I asked cautiously, hoping she was going to be a friend, not foe.

“The girl that was just here. She’s the Beta’s mate. Don’t worry, she’s pretty cool. You’ll like her.” It was the most relaxed he had seemed since he entered the room.

“Cal,” I said softly as he walked back to the door. He turned to look at me, “am I making a mistake being here?” I asked him honestly. He didn’t seem like a complete ass. I mean, he seemed to be trying to make me comfortable, even if he was a man of few words.

“Only you can decide if being here is a mistake.” He said with melancholy, and I had a feeling there was more to his loaded words than in answering my question.

Walking back over to the desk, I picked up the contract once again. It was relatively straightforward. If I agreed to stay, I would have to sign an NDA and remain in this room until such a time that we are ready to mate and mark.

That would have to take place within a month of signing the agreement. This sounded bad, but the truth was, most Alpha’s mate within hours of meeting their Luna, to wait up to a month for me to be ready seemed generous, even if the situation was crass.

When and only when I am mated and marked, would I be introduced as and carry out my duties as the Luna to the pack. My duties to Lexis would be no more than attending events, being arm candy and putting on a good show as the doting and dutiful mate.

Obviously, it was worded in a way that made it sound more beneficial to me and less like I was a piece of prized meat. But the sentiment was clear. I was to look good, keep quiet, do as I was told and not make him look bad.

When it came to s.ex, I nearly choked. Was he serious? I reread the clause again and again. So, I had to have s.ex once, as part of a contract, with the possibility of never having a repeat performance. I wasn’t even sure if I should be happy about this or not.

‘Mating will only be required for the union to be completed. There will be no obligation for mating to be repeated. If either party does not wish to mate, this is to be honoured and respected. However, relations outside of the union will not be permitted under any circumstances and committing such an act will be punishable by death.’

On the one hand, he was giving me freedom of will. Maybe he wanted me to feel safe, that he wouldn’t take advantage of me, and that after the initial act which had to be done to secure me as his, it was then my decision. It stated I didn’t have to have s.ex with him, which seemed like he was trying to give me a choice, that my body was not his to abuse.

But on the other hand, should I choose to go celibate, how is an Alpha male going to abstain from s.ex for an entire lifetime and not go insane? It seemed crazy he would consider it. Until I reread the clause and it dawned on me, that while it said we didn’t have to have relations with each other, it only indicated that I couldn't have relations outside of the union, not him.

This clause was about my indiscretions, not his. If I was unfaithful, I would be punished with my own death, but there were no repercussions for him. It had made it even more clear that he had no intention of trying to make this more than a business transaction. I was beginning to feel a little out of my depth.